Doctors keep coming back! - ntgpe

For several years Galiwin’ku has been a very popular training location for Medical Students,GP Registrars and, more recently Junior Hospital Doctors. Both Sara and David areexamples of doctors who returned to Galiwin’ku as GPs after placements there as students/junior doctors. David and I continue our involvement supervising Sara from Sydney andDarwin respectively as well as visiting for regular locums in an attempt to address theurgent need for GP support for Sara and the community.So how can we help GPs take the plunge and commit some time to this and similarcommunities? This is one of the big challenges facing the community at present. Onething is for sure, responding to the enthusiasm of medical students, junior hospitaldoctors and registrars by providing well supported clinical placements is a practical strategycontributing to current workforce needs and future GP recruitment. Doctors keep coming back!Penny Ramsay - Medical Educator/General PractionerDiscussing student placements with the Clinic Team at Galiwin’kuJunior Doctor Placement Program forUrban and Outer Metro PracticesNTGPE has just received notificationof their successful application forfunding to run a Junior Doctor PlacementProgram for Darwin Urban and OuterMetro Practices commencing 1 January2006. This program is an extension ofthe already successful rural and remoteprogram that has been running since thebeginning of the year.Royal Darwin Hospital based RMO’s willhave the opportunity to do up to 12weeks in a Darwin practice to experienceworking as a General Practitioner.Any practice wanting toparticipate in this programmust be accredited as a GPTraining Post and have anaccredited supervisor in theclinic. For those clinics willing to participate,NTGPE can assist with the accreditationprocess, which normally takes 3- 6 monthsto process through the RACGP.All Junior Drs will earn Medicare income,which in turn will be Pay-Group-Linkedback to the practice. An incentive paymentwill also be made to all participatingpractices to aid with the purchase of anyextra equipment that may be required.If you would like further information onthis program or would like to expressyour interest please contact:Nicole Lamb phone 08 8946 7079, or byemail - nicole.lamb@ntgpe.orgNicole Lamb PVGPPP CoordinatorNorthern Territory General Practice Education - Newsletter Page 2

RACGP Annual Scientific ConventionIntroducing May Rosas - Cultural Mentor (Katherine) presenting at the RACGP Annual Scientific Convention,Darwin September/October 2005.The following articles present two views on the RACGP Annual Scientific Convention.The Convention was held over4 days and offered a very fullprogram. There were speakers at thestart and end of each day, and morningand afternoon sessions running inbetween. At any one time, one couldchoose from several different 2-hourworkshops, procedural skills sessionsor two different rooms which ran 15-minute presentations of scientificpapers on a wide range of issues andresearch. A difficult choice every day!attended a mixture of longerI workshops and busy presentationsessions, and found the few daysreally inspiring. The most powerfulmessages I noticed about the wholeconvention were the very strongvisibility of Aboriginal issues, and thevery positive presentation of ruraland remote health practice. Throughseveral keynote speeches andsessions, a very positive impressionof life as a more remote GP in the NTwas made. I found it very appropriatethat all these issues were so stronglytabled; the Territory location really wassetting the scene for the conventionattendees to come and get a dose ofreal life stories from the NT. I felt veryproud to be a Territory GP and to seethe NT network of GPs and registrarstalking so passionately about their workand lifestyle, and to see Aboriginalwellbeing strongly prioritized. Thetopics covered throughout the 4days were very diverse and revealedthe variety of research and projectsbeing undertaken by GPs Australiawide.I knew GPs who attended onlythe medicolegal sessions, otherswho used it as an opportunity todo Emergency Life Support Skillstraining. People were brushing up onsuturing skills, learning how to set uptheir own general practice, learninghow to get published in a medicaljournal and being taught guidelinesto manage families experiencingdomestic violence.There was a myriad of papersto listen to about anything fromasthma to computer programs. Panelsdiscussed political hot topics andmade College commitments to moveforward on issues such as supportingInternational Medical Graduates. Itappeared to be a forum for GPs togenuinely influence the RACGP andhave a say.NTGPE was represented not only inthe audience but through severalspeakers on stage and in a displaybooth, where admin and support staffdid a great job promoting NTGPE andhanding out the only healthy foodsnacks in sight! Ada Parry’s keynotespeech had the large audience inthe Darwin Entertainment Centrespellbound as she shared her family’sstory, as well as her very astuteobservations from years of workingcross-culturally. Penny, Kevin andLatisha Petterson ran a full-day culturalsafety training workshop, developedby ACWA. NTGPE Registrar DebbieStach was commemorated througha Memorial Presentation speech(unfortunately cancelled but planned tocontinue in the future). Other NTGPEfigures (past and present) who madesignificant contributions through theirspeeches or presentations includedDoug Lloyd, Ngaire Brown, SimonMorgan, Danielle Esler, registrarSara Renwick-Lau, Sam Heard, PaulBurgess, Fay Johnston, GP TrainerLionel Crompton and Emma Kennedy(Chair of the organising committee).For me, the Convention was agreat exposure for Australian GPsto Territory and remote health, andAboriginal cultural and health issues.It reinvigorated my feelings for generalpractice, made me feel proud to bean NT GP, and made me appreciatethe diversity and passion of generalpractitioners.Dr Danielle Stewart Medical EducatorJunior Dr Wellbeing ProjectNorthern Territory General Practice Education - Newsletter Page 4

RACGP Annual Scientific ConventionThis year was the firsttime I attended a RACGPASC. The following is somehonest feedback about myexperiences at the conference.My first impression of the ASCwas reading the outline for theconference and then ofcourse seeing howmuch it would affectmy hip pocket. Realitybeen it not only coststo attend but also youincur the cost of a lostday’s work. The twoissues combined, I couldactually only justify goingto the one day-Friday 30 thSeptember. I rocked up at8.30, a little bit nervous andalso a tad excited. After all,this is my future college’speak annual conference.The day started with agood laugh when I waspresented with my showbag and also a largeumbrella, the sort moreaccustomed tobeen usedon a golftee. Maybeit reflectedthe average pastime of generalpractitioners? The morning plenarysession was spent listening to JohnSalinsky and Ada Parry, tellingtheir life stories. Both were veryinteresting and Ada’s talk was byfar the highlight of the day.Kathy Jannis - Program Manager at the NTGPE trade exhibit RACGP AnnualScientific Convention DarwinWhat an amazing story shetold, which gave an indepth insight into not only herown life experiences, but alsothe chequered history of thiscountry, one that is so often untold.Unfortunately for me, the quality ofthe day took a nose-dive from thereonwards. After morning tea and asocial chit chat, I had a chance touse my umbrella as I walked downto the Crowne Plaza in blazingTerritorian sun, for a session onprocedural skills. Unfortunatelyit was quite disorganised, overbooked, and in contrast to theadvertised brochure, went for halfthe time and had changed all thetopics.Used my umbrella again andmade my way back to themain conference, hoping that lunchwould make up for the proceduralskills mish-mash. Again, I hadquite fun chatting to a few friendsand catching up with some othersI hadn’t seen for a while. I wasbeginning to think that this wasperhaps the hidden agenda!Also frequented the stalls run byvarious organisations and drugcompanies. Plavix was givingaway a free pair of sockswith Plavix scrawled allover them. They wouldhave gone well with myumbrella on the golf tee.I did manage to souvenira purple dragon for mytwo year old son though!Afternoon sessions alllooked terribly drab,except for a session onMalaria. Unfortunatelythe first half wasmicrobiology based,presented by an Englishfellow who had one ofthose low monotonevoices that hypnotisedme to sleep. I washaving a terribly goodcatch up sleep from abusy week, when I wasrudely awoken by an usher, whosternly advised me that I shouldnot have my feet on the chairs.But she was kind enough to wakeme just as Nick Price startedhis presentation, which was agood summary of anti-malarialmedication. The last session ofthe day was a bit mixed, and I mustadmit that I only went because Ithought I better get my $400 worth.The last two speakers were ruralGPs working in remote Indigenouscommunities. Again, interestinganecdotal slide shows but notmuch beyond that. And so myday ended. On reflection, myexpectations were completelysurreal. I was thinking I was goingto get an educative day with a mixof evidence-based general practiseresearch and some proceduralskills knowledge. Not so, but Iguess my biggest gripe at the dayis that I don’t even play golf!Peter Silberberg GP RegistrarNorthern Territory General Practice Education - Newsletter Page 5

Junior Dr Welbeing “Staying Well” DVD to belaunced nationallyThe Junior Doctor WellbeingProject is due to finish in January. It willbe presented in November at the NationalDoctors’ Health Conference in Melbourneand at the 10 th National Prevocational MedicalEducation Forum in Perth-two wonderfulshowcase opportunities.The project showed that education onwellbeing and self-care skills was highlyvalued by junior doctors, but that sessionshave to be easily accessible. A lunchtime talkand discussion session for interns and RMOsat RDH that I facilitated on 4 October hadgood attendance and very positive feedback.The interns and residents appreciate theopportunity to talk together about theirstresses and learn self-care approaches.The Project final report will suggestrealistic and feasible ways forward.From the Program Manager...The final 2005 GPRegistrar workshop washeld in late September atCharles Darwin Universityand well received byparticipants. To link inwith theRACGP’s ASMin Darwin, theGP Trainers’w o r k s h o pwas held inearly Octoberand went wellwith activeparticipationby trainers.Theworkshopsreminded me onceagain that I am soprivileged to work withsuch great people. Thankyou to you all for makingmy job so enjoyable.Theselection intothe 2006 intakeof the trainingp r o g r a mfor the NThas beenc o m p l e t e dwith 11 newThese will include lunchtime sessions, a mentorsystem and intern discussion groups whereeducation topics are expanded to include stressmanagement, time management, dealing withthe dying patient and other self-care skillsteaching.An absolute highlight of the Project is theStaying Well DVD. This very exciting 15-minute DVD uses NT junior doctors’ ownstories and views to discuss what life is likein the hospital and how to survive it. It will bedistributed nationally in November/Decemberand will form the core of a suggesteddiscussion session that can be implemented byany facilitator. As such, the Project is hopedto make an impact not only locally but alsonationally, creating an easy-to-use Wellbeingpackage for all Australian junior doctors.Danielle Stewart Junior Dr Wellbeing ProjectGP Registrars applying andbeing successful at interview.An orientation workshop willbe held on 16 and 17 Januaryto induct these new registrarsand those commencing theirBasic terms during the year.The allocation to the NT is 20new GPRs per year, so youcan see our numbers aredown on what they could be.We encourage you to activelypromote training in the NT toyour interstate colleagues.I am currently sendingout confirmation of termallocations for 2006 whichentails more work for GPregistrars, completing forms,checking data reports, etc.I would like to welcomeEileen Robinson to our AliceSprings office – Eileen isreplacing Raelene whilstshe is on maternity leave.Raelene’s twins Aaron andLily were born in Adelaide29 August. They are nowback in ASH, getting readyGP Registrar ORIENTATION Workshop16th -17th Jan 2006 - Darwinto go home – soon we hope.Congratulations to Raeleneand Carl on the birth of theirbeautiful babies. There area few clucky females in theoffice now! Some sad news isthat our Executive Director,Doug Lloyd is leaving us tobe closer to his family. Weare all a bit shell-shocked bythe news but understand hissituation completely. He willbe a hard act to follow andwe will miss him.Kathy Jannis ProgramManagerNorthern Territory General Practice Education - Newsletter Page 6

GP Trainers Workshop - Camel Farm Alice Springs June 2005Trainer Tracks Trainer Liaison Officer UpdateFor those of youunable to attend therecent Trainers’ workshopin Darwin – YOU MISSEDOUT ! If only because ofthe Saturday night dinner atCrustaceans (best seafoodmany of us had experiencedfor quite some time ) includingthe view, preceded by theharbour cruise and, of course,the company throughout, thebar has been raised. Makenext year’s workshop(s) adate for your diaries. Apartfrom the social side whichled to a high demandfor coffee and water,particularly from theearly presenters, thefollowing morning,we were fortunateto benefit from theexpertise of Dr FrankMeumann, experiencedME & now CEO ofTasmanian GeneralPractice Training,who used the NTGPETrainers as guineapigs to trial his wellrenownedsession onnegotiation skills ona group ofsupervisorsfor the firsttime. I amsure all ofus gainedmuch to be used in futuresituations as a result, whetherwhen dealing with Registrars,employers, staff, patients oreven our own children ! Ifany Trainer would like to geta hold of resources from thesession there are some copiesstill remaining at the Darwinoffice. Thanks again Frank andwell done ! our second daywas shared between cultural& business issues. Ada Parry,Cultural Mentor, and KevParriman, Cultural Educator,kindly gave up a deal of theirtime and shared a greatamount of their knowledge,experience and advice infacilitating what proved to bea most valuable, ostensiblyquestion and answer sessionfrom which all of the Trainersbenefited hugely. Thanks againto both – the informal approachand setting allowed us to feelcomfortable in voicing manyof our cultural difficulties anduncertainties, not an easy taskto facilitate when dealing witha group of Trainers who havesuch widespread experienceand experiences.Finally a number of issuesarose from the PrivateBusiness Session whichconcluded the workshop.These will be communicatedseparately in due course,including those to be discussedby the board. However,amongst those into whichTrainer input would beparticularly valuable, areNTGPE’s new and customisedTrainers manual ( which hasbeen circulated both at thePBS and via email – let meknow if you haven’t beenincluded in the loop ) and a setof Key Performance Indicatorsby which we as Trainers canassess the value that NTGPEadds to GP Training as a whole– these have not yet beendeveloped beyond merelybroad headings so if any of youwish to contribute or becomemore deeply involved, againyou know how to find me(nigel.gray@ntgpe.org - (08)8952 3518 or 0427 003805 ).Looking ahead I ammoving towards completionof the data collection phasein my research looking at GPTrainers’ perspectives on GPRegistrars’ training outcomeswith trips to Gove & Katherineplanned for October. If anyTrainers, except those in Alicewho I’ll probably get to last,have not been contacted,please let me know and I’llmake arrangements.Finally we have our nextteleconference scheduledfor December. I feel maybewe should be looking at moreclinical content within thesein future and would welcomeyour views, at both a generaland specific level, as to itemsfor inclusion. So thanks againfor your support. Receivingthe kind of positive feedbackforthcoming throughout theworkshop helps to make therole that much more rewardingand sustainable. Which ispretty important - after all, itcould be your turn one day !Nigel GrayTrainer Liaison OfficerNorthern Territory General Practice Education - Newsletter Page 7

What’s on Oct - DecemberWhen What WhereOct 25th TERM 4 Commences Territory wideNov 3 - 6th ADGP Divisions of General Practice Network Forum PerthNov 3 - 5th 4th National Doctor’s Health Conference MelbourneNov 6 - 9th 10th National Prevocational Medical Education Forum PerthNov 11 - 13th The General Practitioner Conference & Ehibition MelbourneNov 22 - 23nd NTGPE Staff Cultural Workshops Holiday Inn DarwinDec 10th NTGPE Staff Christmas Party TBADec 26th Boxing Day Public Holiday (Office Closed) Terriitory WideDec 27th Public Holiday (Office Closed) Terrirory WideFor more information please contact ntgpe, email admin@ntgpe.org or phone 08 8946 7077STAFF News & viewsIt is on a very sad note that Iwrite this to say goodbye toProf Doug Lloyd from NTGPE.I have enjoyed working withDoug in the capacity of medicaleducator and particularlyappreciated his soundmanagement experience andknowledge of education.Doug’s commitment andenergy for excellence inmedical education in thecommunity has beencrucial in providing aservice to meeting trainingneeds in the NorthernTerritory. It has been aprivilege to work withDoug to enhance thesupport we provide to thecommunity context. Hehas always acknowledgedthe priorities of rural andremote and Aboriginalhealth care and the centralrole that medical andcultural education can play.His energy for advocacyfor more appropriatefunding to support GPregistrar training assistedus to be able to provide amore NT wide approachsoon after the transitionto regionalisation. Thestaff of NTGPEhave workedvery hardf o l l o w i n gDoug’s lead inmaintainingthe programs that interconnect,their common link with the GPtrainer at the community healthservice – medical student, juniordoctor and GP registrar programs.The underlying reasoning forthis is the integrity of providingmedical education support in amodel of one stop shop for theessentials, for the trainer at the‘coalface’ of the teaching. To dothis requires balancing of fundsand relationships with differentplaces and stakeholders. I wouldlike to acknowledge how difficultthis is and that trust is an essentialingredient to success.I would like to thank Doug for hisprofessionalism, commitmentto integrity in relationships andpassion for equitable access tohealth care for all. I wish himwell for the next exciting phasein his personal and professionaladventures.Emma KennedySince our last issue we have seenseveral other staff changes.Wewould like to welcome MargaretVigants as the new MedicalStudent Coordinator in the TopEnd. Margaret replaces NicolePrudames who has left the NTto take up residence in QLD.We wish Nicole all the best andwould like to thank her for hercontributions to NTGPE. EileenRobinson also joins the teamin Central Australia in our AliceSprings office supporting theGP Training Program. Welcometo you both we look forward toworking together.Northern Territory General Practice Education - Newsletter Page 8